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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dona on October 8, 2000, at 21:01:14
I have had insomnia forever, but since my total knee surgery in September and dosage up to 60mg of prozac, I am desperate to feel rested. Ambien is the only medication that does that for me, but how do I convince my psych to let me take it everynight? Has anyone taken it continuously for a long time. I also have fibromylagia. Any other suggestions for sleep onset insomnia---I just cannot fall asleep until 3 or 4 am and I am so tired!!!!!!
Posted by JaneST on October 9, 2000, at 1:02:24
In reply to Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight, posted by Dona on October 8, 2000, at 21:01:14
Dona:
What does your pdoc say? My pdoc has prescribed prozac to augment my Remeron because of prozac's 'activating' agents. Did you have insomnia prior to the 60mgs.???So, I guess I'm asking, if something helps you so much, is it really that bad? And has you pdoc said "no more Ambien"?
I'm sure there will be others here more qualifed/practical experienced enough to respond more accurately...but just MHO.
As an aside, may I ask your age re: the knee surgeries? One of my best girl friends is facing this but at the age of 47 the doctors are telling her she's not 'old' enough yet...but her chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia Combined! with the knees have cost her jobs, parenting time, etc. Would really appreciate your response.
Best of luck,
Jane
Posted by stjames on October 9, 2000, at 1:27:32
In reply to Re: Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight » Dona, posted by JaneST on October 9, 2000, at 1:02:24
How about a TCA like Doxipin ? Very sedating, non adictive, and I think they also used in FM.
Excellent for sleep with no problems in taking long term; people have been on TCA's since the 1950's.I hope you find what works, good sleep in key in any cronic condition.
james
Posted by Dona on October 9, 2000, at 12:22:58
In reply to Re: Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight » Dona, posted by JaneST on October 9, 2000, at 1:02:24
I am 54 and have had knee problem for about 10years and was always told I was too young for knee replacement, but I finally said I have had enough and I am glad I got knee done, in spite of the current pain. I know I could not have gone through this when I was older and even more fatigued!!
Posted by Ted on October 9, 2000, at 12:47:14
In reply to Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight, posted by Dona on October 8, 2000, at 21:01:14
FWIW, I take Ambien every night. My pdoc continues to agree that it is beneficial. I believe it is probably addicting, but if you keep the dose low, you shouldn't have any long-term problems.
My problem is I fall asleep quickly, but I wake up at 2:00 am and I don't get back to sleep until 5:30 am and for only about 30-60 minutes, then I have to go to work. I take roughly 3.5-4 mg of ambien nightly by breaking the tip off a 5 mg tablet. Now, I sleep more deeply, and when I wake up in the wee morning hours, I quickly fall asleep again. I feel energized when I get up in the mornings. It's great.
I have tried trazodone instead of ambien and it is *terrible*. First, you have to get the dose *just right* by breaking tablets. If you don't do this, then the duration of sleep is screwed up. Then, to top it off, you will get a *KILLER* headache in the morning (like a hangover). If that isn't enough, depending on how you react to it, you might feel like a drugged zombie all day.
Stick with the ambien and keep the dose as low as possible.
Good luck,
Ted
Posted by Greg on October 9, 2000, at 15:23:56
In reply to Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight, posted by Dona on October 8, 2000, at 21:01:14
Dona,
I have taken Ambien (10mgs) almost every night for about a year and a half for insomnia. I occasionally take a day or two off from it to see if I'll experience any withdrawal symptoms, but haven't had any yet. All of my docs are aware that I take it and they are all in agreement that if it helps me to sleep, then I should continue to take it. When I don't use it, I'm lucky to get an hour's sleep per night.
I hope this helps.
Greg
> I have had insomnia forever, but since my total knee surgery in September and dosage up to 60mg of prozac, I am desperate to feel rested. Ambien is the only medication that does that for me, but how do I convince my psych to let me take it everynight? Has anyone taken it continuously for a long time. I also have fibromylagia. Any other suggestions for sleep onset insomnia---I just cannot fall asleep until 3 or 4 am and I am so tired!!!!!!
Posted by coral on October 9, 2000, at 19:13:16
In reply to Re: Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight » Dona, posted by Greg on October 9, 2000, at 15:23:56
Dear Dona,
Are you an "addictive personality type"? If so, your risks of addiction are greater. There's both physiological and psychological addictions. Why is it that you can't sleep? Because of the pain? Physical, psychological or a combination?
I'm a chronic, lifelong insomniac which made the depression and panic/anxiety attacks just an absolute joy. But, I use Ambien or Librium to help me get to sleep. I also have a doc that trusts me to know myself well enough that I'll only use the meds as needed. I think your first step is determining the reason you can't sleep and devise a strategy to sleep. As an example, if it's pain that's keeping you awake, Ambien will help you sleep, but it won't be good sleep because the pain will still be there -- rather like novacaine at the dentist's. In that instance, an effective painkiller might be best to help you sleep... I know the haunted nights and exhausted days . . . and sympathize....
Posted by Peg on October 9, 2000, at 20:12:27
In reply to Re: Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight, posted by coral on October 9, 2000, at 19:13:16
I wondered about this too, until I read somewhere that the key is "how" you take Ambien.
Take it with food, then immediately go to bed. If you stay up, you can experience some amnesia effects. I have been doing this for two years and have never had to increase the dose above 1mg. But if I forget to take it with a little snack, I don't get the benefits. Beats me.
Peg
Posted by Greg on October 9, 2000, at 20:38:17
In reply to Re: Insomnia-a miracle routine, posted by Peg on October 9, 2000, at 20:12:27
Peg,
I agree that being very disiplined with the Ambien is very important. I take it at the same time every night and am always in bed within 20 minutes. Definitely not a drug you want to take if you're planning social activities....
I'm curious, do you really only take 1mg of Ambien? I take 10mgs and it's the perfect dose for me. I know that the smallest single dose pill is 5mgs (or at least that's what my doctor told me). Do you actually cut that tiny little pill into 5 smaller pieces?
Greg
> I wondered about this too, until I read somewhere that the key is "how" you take Ambien.
> Take it with food, then immediately go to bed. If you stay up, you can experience some amnesia effects. I have been doing this for two years and have never had to increase the dose above 1mg. But if I forget to take it with a little snack, I don't get the benefits. Beats me.
> Peg
Posted by JaneST on October 9, 2000, at 21:07:50
In reply to Re: Insomnia-is it wrong to take ambien everynight, posted by Dona on October 9, 2000, at 12:22:58
> I am 54 and have had knee problem for about 10years and was always told I was too young for knee replacement, but I finally said I have had enough and I am glad I got knee done, in spite of the current pain. I know I could not have gone through this when I was older and even more fatigued!!
Dona:Thanks for the info...I'll pass it along.
Good Luck,
Jane
This is the end of the thread.
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